What South Carolina 4-H Congress Is
State 4-H Congress is the South Carolina 4-H program's biggest annual gathering of members, held on the Clemson University campus. The 2027 Congress runs Monday, July 5 through Friday, July 9, 2027. The 57th annual Congress, in 2019, was described as more like a family reunion than an annual meeting, and Congress often marks the end of a decade or more of 4-H work for departing seniors. It combines workshops and service with the state's top 4-H honors, and national delegates and National 4-H Conference winners are recognized.
What Happens at Congress
- Workshops: Educational sessions have covered livestock, technology, natural resources and healthy lifestyles. An advanced leadership class has used games to teach members how to build relationships in groups.
- Service: At the 2019 Congress, members landscaped a pathway to the grave of Rep. Frank Lever in Woodland Cemetery at Clemson. The pathway honored his role in the 1914 Smith-Lever Act, which created the Cooperative Extension Service and national 4-H clubs.
- Speakers: The Extension director, the State Teen Council president, guest speakers and the Pinckney Leadership Program director have addressed members.
- Awards banquet: The program culminates in a banquet at Clemson's Madren Center, with speeches and the presentation of the state's top awards. Past Congresses have carried a theme, such as "Once Upon a Time in a 4-H Fairy Tale" in 2023 and "The Courage to Lead in a Jungle of the Unknown" in 2021.
Awards and Scholarships
| Award | Details |
|---|---|
| S.C. 4-H Presidential Tray | $2,000 educational scholarship for the top senior 4-H members who are National 4-H Congress and/or National 4-H Conference alumni, recognizing leadership, citizenship and project work. Four winners were named in 2019 and 2021, three in 2023. |
| National 4-H Conference winners | $1,500 scholarship in 2023, based on a 4-H portfolio and panel interview. |
| State 4-H Award | $1,000 scholarship in 2023. |
| Spirit of 4-H Award | $1,000 scholarship in 2023, for commitment to the 4-H pledge. |
| Glen Krohn Excellence in Volunteerism Award | Recognizes an outstanding adult volunteer. |
Award amounts and the number of winners can change from year to year.
Key Dates and Deadlines
| Date | What |
|---|---|
| April 9, 2027 | Portfolios due at the State Office (local submission deadlines may vary) |
| May 7, 2027 | Nominations due for the Glen Krohn Volunteer Award and the Spirit of 4-H Award |
| June 2, 2027 | Online interviews for National Conference and the Presidential Tray |
| June 11, 2027 | State 4-H Congress registration deadline (online) |
| July 5-9, 2027 | State 4-H Congress, Clemson, SC |
Who Can Take Part
Congress is for South Carolina 4-H members and their agents, parents and volunteers, who also attend the banquet. Rising and departing high school seniors are central to the awards. Members register online by June 11, 2027; ask your county 4-H agent how your county handles registration and travel.
Where
Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina. The awards banquet has been held at the Madren Center.
Questions
Is State Congress the same as National 4-H Congress?
No. National 4-H Congress is a separate event, scheduled for Atlanta, November 27 to December 1, 2026. State Congress is in Clemson in July.
How do I win a Presidential Tray?
Winners are senior members who are National 4-H Congress and/or National 4-H Conference alumni, chosen on leadership, citizenship and project work. Portfolios are due April 9, 2027 and interviews are June 2, 2027.
Who do I call?
Your county 4-H office. Clemson Extension lists every county office on its county page.
Official Links
- Clemson 4-H statewide events calendar 2026-2027: dates and deadlines
- State 4-H Congress is a family affair: 2019 Congress report
- State 4-H Congress celebrates the moxie to make fairy tales come true: 2023 report and scholarship amounts
- Youth find courage to lead at S.C. 4-H State Congress: 2021 report
- Find your county 4-H office
Clemson Cooperative Extension in South Carolina: The Essentials
Clemson Cooperative Extension has an office in all 46 South Carolina counties and offers research-based help on farms, gardens, families and youth programs.
Find your office
The County Office Directory lists address and phone for each county.
4-H
South Carolina 4-H is open to youth ages 5 to 18 for a $15 annual membership, with sign-up through 4HOnline, per the Get Involved page. Projects include cattle, horse, poultry, rabbit and swine.
Farm and soil help
The Livestock and Forages team runs beef cattle, forage, small ruminant, equine and backyard poultry programs. Soil samples can be dropped at a county office for the Clemson lab, where a standard test is $6.00 per sample, per the lab guidelines.
Next steps
Call your county office before you drive, and bring labeled samples.
Read the full guide: Clemson Cooperative Extension in South Carolina
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- South Carolina 4-H Forestry Contest
The state 4-H Forestry Contest is held March 26, 2027 at the Clemson University Forest, with Forest Fest following on March 27.
Clemson, SC | Organizer: Clemson Extension 4-H Official event details - SCCA Regional Beef Cattle Field Day St. Matthews
Final stop of the cattlemen's 2026 regional field day series, held Nov. 12, 2026 at Lone Star Plantation in St. Matthews for Midlands and Lowcountry cattle producers.
St. Matthews, SC | Organizer: South Carolina Cattlemen's Association Official event details - South Carolina 4-H Team Cooking Challenge
State finals of the 4-H Team Cooking Challenge, scheduled for Nov. 14, 2026 in Florence.
- Discovery Conference Mid-State
Held each year; the most recent Mid-State FFA Discovery Conference for middle school students was November 16, 2026, at Clover Middle School.
Clover, SC | Organizer: SC FFA / Clemson Extension Official event details - Region 4 FFA Farmer and Agribusiness Meeting
Region 4 farmer and agribusiness gathering for FFA supporters on November 16, 2026, at Pelion High School, starting at 7 pm.
Pelion, SC | Organizer: SC FFA / Clemson Extension Official event details
All South Carolina events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.